Red Dresses, Loud Voices: Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
On May 5, 2025, Canadians nationwide mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day. It is a solemn observance dedicated to recognizing and bringing awareness to the hundreds of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The systematic violence that Indigenous communities experience is brought to light on this day. It also draws attention to ongoing initiatives for justice and reconciliation.
Red Dress Day has its roots in the REDress Project, which was started in 2010 by Métis artist Jaime Black. The project uses the striking image of empty red dresses displayed in public spaces to represent the absence and loss of Indigenous women and girls who have experienced violence. Red was chosen because, in many Indigenous traditions, it symbolizes vitality and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
History of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Canadian artist Jaime Black played a key role in inspiring the National Day of Awareness through her REDress Project. Launched in 2010, the project is an art installation that brings attention to the crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women in Canada and the United States.
This artistic expression spurred the donation of hundreds of red dresses and evolved into a national awareness movement. REDress exhibits are now displayed annually in significant locations, including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., which hosted the exhibit in 2019.
In the United States, two senators from Montana initiated an official campaign in 2017 to designate May 5 as a national day of awareness. In 2018, the U.S. formally recognized the day, renaming it the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.
On this day, people participate in rallies, ceremonies, and acts of remembrance to honor their loved ones, show solidarity as allies, and advocate for justice. Red dresses are draped in trees, pinned to jackets, hung from windows, worn as earrings, and painted on faces as powerful symbols of remembrance and resistance.
Significance of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Between 2009 and 2021, the homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls in Canada was six times higher than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic change and highlights the importance of public awareness campaigns like Red Dress Day.
The day also reflects the findings of the 2019 Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which identified systemic issues such as racism, colonialism, and misogyny as root causes of the violence. The report issued 231 Calls for Justice, urging all Canadians, along with governments and institutions, to take concrete actions to end this national crisis.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
A 2014 report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) documented 1,181 Indigenous women and girls as missing or murdered in Canada between 1980 and 2012. However, Indigenous advocacy groups estimate that the actual number exceeds 4,000, citing systemic underreporting and poor data collection practices.
This crisis represents a profound human rights issue rooted in gender-based and racialized violence. Although Indigenous women make up less than 5% of Canada’s population, they account for 24% of females affected by homicide, highlighting the disproportionate violence faced by these communities.
Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives
Across Canada, communities, organizations, and educational institutions observe Red Dress Day through a variety of events and programs. These include marches, art installations, educational workshops, and the public display of red dresses to symbolize remembrance and raise awareness.
For example:
- The University of Prince Edward Island hosts educational sessions to inform students and the public about the significance of Red Dress Day and the broader MMIWG crisis.
- The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition invites community members to take part in commemorative activities, educational displays, and creative healing projects.
These initiatives foster a shared commitment to truth, justice, and reconciliation.
Ways to Observe the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Wear red to show solidarity.
- Listen to the stories of people and families affected.
- Write letters to elected officials urging full implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice.
- Participate in community events, walks, and vigils.
- Educate yourself and your community about the MMIWG crisis.
- Read the 2009 U.S. Congressional Apology to Native Peoples to reflect on historical accountability.
Conclusion
The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is a time to listen, learn, and advocate for change. Today, we remember and honor the lives lost and amplify the voices of Indigenous communities. All hands should be on deck to dismantle the systems of violence, racism, and neglect that have persisted for generations. Education and commitment to justice are vital steps toward reconciliation, healing, and the creation of a safer future for all Indigenous women and girls.
